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I use a handful of different things, depending on what I'm trying to accomplish. When I'm doing "real" PHP coding (not a simple script, or a simple modification to a script), I use Zend. Personally, I haven't found any issues with it, although, I know others who really dislike it.

If I'm doing something more simplistic, I use notepad2. My only complaint about notepad2 is that it doesn't support multiple files being open at once (the way most modern IDEs do, with the convinent little tabs at the bottom; you know what I'm talking about). Similarly, in Linux, I use kwrite. kwrite offers pretty much the same features as notepad2, just more of them (support for more languages, more advanced options, etc).

In Linux, when I'm doing "real" work, I either use Quanta or Zend. Personally, I don't like Zend in Linux nearly as much as I do in Windows, and I've also had issues with recent versions of Quanta. What I like about Quanta though is its built-in FTP and multiple-file support. Built-in FTP makes working on projects hosted remotely a *lot* easier (rather than kwrite and an FTP client), and multiple file support keeps the task bar clean.

I encourage all the people who say they use Notepad to at least try NP2 and see it in action. It is basically the same, except it has the features Nathan mentioned NP does not have, syntax highlighting and line numbers and what ever that is that Twig Mentioned heredoc! Never heard of it, must be a PHP thing?

I did not get rid of plain old NP I have both installed. I used to use it more when I first got it, but since I started using Crimson I have not gone back.

I just use Dreamweaver on its own, it's not overly complex but not too simple, has multiple file support and FTP, and as most of my PHP work is involved in interface handling the Design view for HTML/CSS saves me invaluable time and effort (as well as eye-strain ), also I'm a baby and like to see what I'm working with.

Also I think it's about finding a program you are comfortable with, sticking with it and eventually you'll code in it like a beaut. I do value the advantages of a proper IDE though, syntax highlighting/multiple file handling/ftp/auto-code completion are features which if implemented subtly and not forced in your face like with some IDE's (another reason I enjoy Dreamweaver) then it really does aid your programming in terms of speed and quality.

Flippin' hec, PHP Designer looks like a cracking piece of software. If I had coded that I'd be charging a truck load, that interface must of taken months to develop.

Probably a little too complex for its own good though, the syntax highlighting is identical to Dreamweaver MX so I'm probably not going to convert. The function library is absolutely fantastic though I wish I could integrate that to Dreamweaver. The only thing is I know most of the functions I'd need to use off by heart but I may well use it as a quick resource.

What WOULD be a handy feature is if an IDE could build a list of all the functions in each of your classes and give you a quick way to call them..often I end up writing code for something forgetting I already have a function of my own to do that exact thing ...I could write a function definition list but I'm too lazy to do that ..if a program could do that for me I'd snap it up .

there are php extentions in the macromedia exchange that do this 3(mainly to extend the library to include php5 stuff) .Dreamweaver should have most functions built in it, you just need to use control + spacebar to call up the list for autocompletion.

There are IDE's already with project work spaces that have code completion, zend, nusphere, and i'm not sure but i think komodo might as well.

however when working with oop i prefer an IDE with autocomplete and phpdoc functionality, but i user dreamweaver + top style for my xhtml, javascript, css (if you know how to customize your editor, esp dreamweaver, you can really speed things up, including creating your own tags, etc)

Dreamweaver is great and has some nice features that kill notepad (although i use that often when just needing to make small edits).

The best feature is SNIPPETS - yeah SNIPPETS KICK BUTT , try them and your see what i mean. You can organise your code that you use often into folders etc and then just hit one when you need to use that piece of code and then you can make specific small changes on the code instead of writing it from scratch. fast, efficient and much more productive.

Hello my firend,When you are using notepad....

Here are a few bad things re:Notepad that pop into my mind: -It doesn't keep indents. -Doesn't allow you to see line numbers. -60/64k/whateverk file size limit. -Tabs are tabs. They're always tabs. They're always the same width (8 chars?). -Can't spot syntax errors by colour. -Can't Indent/Out-dent whole code blocks at a time. -Find and replace SUCKS. I would never let my co-workers (if they were working under me) use notepad full-time. We don't have that kind of time to waste. I haven't found the perfect editor. AFAIK, it doesn't exist. But there are much better alternatives to Notepad (and some of them have been mentioned in this thread).

I use a handful of different things, depending on what I'm trying to accomplish. When I'm doing "real" PHP coding (not a simple script, or a simple modification to a script), I use Zend. Personally, I haven't found any issues with it, although, I know others who really dislike it.

I haven't found any issues with it neither. For big projects it's just perfect. What other people doesn't like about it? I would really like to know.

I'm one of those who've suggested PHP Designer earlier. Here are some of my own quickie reviews.

1. PHP Designer 2005Pros:
Faster loading, syntax highlighting (so I can identify and skip a bunch of comments easily), block indentation/out-dentation, good search and replace, file manager, and other common stuff.Cons:
The interface is a little sluggish, too many panels (disabled almost everything), 9 tabs limit (hate it, I have a bunch of classes/scripts open for reference).\Summary:
A good software. My current editor.

2. DreamweaverPros:
Fast and stable. You can figure out the rest.Cons:
Slow start-up on my machine, memory consuming.Summary
Might use it again. A good tool.

3. Web32padPros:
Similar to Notepad, multiple line search/replace, selectable background/font/color, quick start-up, auto-indent, save in Win/Mac/Unix file format.Cons:
Non-tabbed, no syntax colouring.Summary
It was my primary editor but it is just too basic. You might work slower on it.

4. NotepadPros:
Fast and easy.Cons:
Man, it annoys me when I have to tab tab tab tab tab. Too basic (what it's supposed to be right?).Summary
Normally just used for editing few lines.

Hope these might help someone out there. Please take a note that I didn't mention anything about server intergration or FTP because I am working with PHP locally.